Goal: to make a Battlemage (or spellsword) or A Tank that uses AOE spells

Trying to figure out what is better to roll with

Dragonknight that uses magic[AOE's] (have to use a staff or can also uses her hands to cast magic?)

or

Sorcerer that wears (mosty) heavy armor and a great sword as a back up weapon when Magicka runs out

Does anyone one have any other ideas to make this char with the above goal in mind?

Thanks

As ever, all destruction staff gives you is free attacks, and a weapon-specific skill line. Everything else can be cast regardless of what's in your paws.

I have not checked the skills or classes or whatever. I will wait until it is much closer to release.

I will be building a Battle Mage style character.

Generally speaking I will be going with Heavy Armor and use Wards and other spells. The ranged Attack likely will be a spell but I might go more with just defensive spells, healing and only use melee for combat.

But quite often I build odd ball builds just for the fun of it.

I'd say it boils down to the same thing.

If I was you I'd make a decision based on whether I wanted to use lightning (Sorc) or fire (DK) damage.